Tag Archives: Thank You

Today is my first solo blog post and of course it’s a fangirl stalking post. I’m Clkytta, and I’m an avid drama fan who is delighted that I can share my drama watching addiction with you. Why did I pick Jang Hyuk for my first solo blog post? First, his voice, he has one of […]

I finished my rewatch but I’m finding it hard to let go of Thank You. I still have ideas for MVs and will highlight some BTS material I found but for now, I need to leave that on hold and prepare for my Chuno rewatch. So this will be the last Thank You post for a little while (It is one of my favorite dramas so I’ll definitely come back to it)

I already wrote a somewhat random stream of consciousness spoilery review, but then this idea occurred to me. A post to introduce Thank You to those who have not watched this drama and try to persuade them to give it a try. Read with confidence, since there are no major spoilers below:

1.- Uplifting heartwarming story – I have the feeling the majority of people who read the synopsis of this drama think it’s too sad and gloomy. The drama touches heavy subjects such as terminal illness, prejudice, etc but it does it in a sensitive, non melodramatic way. Yes, it is moving but also heartwarming and uplifting. The show has much more humor than you might expect

2.- A strong female lead – I love Gong Hyo Jin but the two other characters I saw her play after Thank You, were too submissive for my taste. I enjoyed her character’s quirks in Master’s Sun and her performance in general, but her devotion for the male lead, bothered me (even if her clinginess was “justified” by the fact that he blocked her ability to see ghosts, at first) and I couldn’t finish Pasta, despite my appreciation for both leads and writer. I don’t want to spoil but Young Shin is a much more mature character, with many things going on in her life, to make a man her priority. She is the kind of heroine that might seem fragile but is actually pretty strong, brave, resilient, and a great mother.

3.- A tormented “jerkish” turned “perfect” male lead – Dr Min starts off as a conflicted fellow (ok, a jerk) but he never really feels like your typical korean drama jerk lead. He is arrogant and cranky, but we can see he is struggling with a number of demons, right away. So we never hate him, and when he finally “sees the light” he turns into one of the best korean drama male leads, hands down. He keeps the super sexy confidence from early episodes and adds compassion, caring, love, romanticism, devotion, etc. I won’t say more or I’ll fall on spoiler zone. Suffice it to say, you will fall in love with him. It’s guaranteed.

Thanks to Lady G for this banner. Click to see it in full size.

4.- Jang Hyuk and Gong Hyo Jin chemistry – Some people see it, others don’t. I personally, felt the chemistry, the desire, the sexual tension built up during their bantering and almost kisses. There was chemistry, bonding and love between them. Even stronger than chemistry, there was great rapport between these two strong performers. Both have the ability to communicate so much with just their eyes, and they used it all the time.

5.- No villains – From the second leads to the “mother in law” none of these characters was one dimensional or cookie cutter. They all are justified and feel real. The drama’s strength is in its characters.

6.- Adorable Bom – Seo Shin Ae shone brightly in Thank You. I remember feeling that she was the show on my first watch. She is the one that impressed me most at first. This drama wouldn’t have been the same without such an adorable and talented young actress. Lee Bom is the heart of this drama and Seo Shin Ae’s talent will blow you away.

7.- Adorable Mr Lee – Ok, maybe Bom is half of the heart, because Mr Lee was also very special. The cutest grandpa, provided a lot of the humorous moments in the drama, and also the most poignant and moving. Mr Lee and his choco pies are forever etched in my heart.

I’ve taken a long time writing this review. I’ve read so many good ones that I didn’t know what I could write that wouldn’t sound repetitious. Also, I feel this drama is so delicate and beautiful, that It will be hard for me to do it justice. So I decided to start writing a few thoughts and let my feelings guide me. I feel I appreciated this drama more, on my second watch, and I still think there are things my limited understanding can’t grasp, but my soul can perceive. It is a drama that seems so simple and it is yet so deep.

Synopsis: The story of a single mother raising a child with AIDS, in a small island. She has managed to keep her daughter’s disease, a secret, to protect her from prejudice and give her a life, as normal as possible. Pretty soon a Doctor comes to the island. He has the mission to ask forgiveness to the child, in the name of his girlfriend. His diseased girlfriend, also a doctor, accidentally gave the child, infected blood while trying to save her life.

No matter how we put it, that premise sounds tragic, doesn’t it? I feel however, that Thank You is not just about the tragedy of terminal illness, or about individuals facing mortality. While it deals with such heavy themes, it is more focused on “life”. That miracle of life that sometimes we don’t appreciate until it’s threatened. It is also about prejudice, the question of self worth, and about how we chose to view the world. Is it a beautiful place that we should embrace? Or is it a scary place that we should protect ourselves from and where we have to constantly fight for what we want? Does being nice equal being dumb? Does being selfish equal being strong? How much of our happiness is up to us? What exactly do we need to be happy?

The drama asks these and many more questions, and instead of giving us a definite answer, it gives us different views and options through the eyes of its characters. Who do we identify with and who do we want to identify with? After all, they all have valid points.

On the one hand, we have a cynical view, represented in different ways by Grandma, Suk Hyun and initially Dr Min. They all underestimate Young Shin, because she is always smiling at the world that mistreats her. Why is she so stubborn, why doesn’t she defend herself? Why is she such a pabo?

As the story progresses, the three of them learn to appreciate Young Shin’s inner strength. We, the audience, also learn.

I have to admit, as obnoxious as Dr Min could be at times, I was with him many of the times he shook Young Shin into reacting. After all, being a good person does not mean you need to take abuse, correct? I appreciated a kdrama male lead, who wasn’t doing the “mistreating” himself but was rather getting upset at the female lead for allowing others to mistreat her. I have been in Dr Min’s position many times in my life (being that I’m far from passive myself)

However, the difference between Young Shin and other typical submissive female leads (some played by Gong Hyo Jin as well) is that her “problem” is not just about guilt and self esteem issues. There is some of that! She is a single mother with an ill child who she seems to punish herself and does not allow others to “help” her, as if she didn’t deserve such help or expect it. She seems to want to carry her burdens herself and not bother anyone.

But there is more to it. Besides, guilt, low self esteem and heightened sense of responsibility, there seems to be a conscious decision to build a “beautiful” world for her child, despite the fact that she knows said world, can be pretty harsh. Hey, she is a mother, so I guess it is as simple as that. Don’t all parents have this dilemma? We want our children to be happy, but aware of the world, strong enough to confront it, but not afraid to live in it.

Suk Hyun was moved when he realized, Young Shin taught Bom that her father was a nice guy

So I liked that Dr Min shook her off the “guilt” and reassured her of her value, she did not have to take abuse from anyone, but I also loved that he saw her strength as a mother and woman. She carried the world on her shoulders and he wanted to help, but he never intended to “change” her.

I guess you already can tell that I highly recommend this drama. The story, the beautiful messages I’m probably not fully understanding but somehow perceiving since there is nothing “hammered over the head” with this drama, the characters, the acting. It is easy to believe these people exist. It is worth watching in every sense.

While rewatching I wrote a few posts that highlight some scenes and points I loved in the drama. The posts include a lot of captures and gifs as well 🙂 I provide links below for easy access:

Min Kiseo and his girlfriend, rethinking my first impressionshttps://stuckonhyuk.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/thank-you-min-kiseo-and-his-girlfriend-rethinking-my-first-impressions/I also remember my perception that Min Kiseo was a jerk, so I judged him harshly, thinking that his pain didn’t justify his lashing out (I still get upset when he kicks the dog’s house though!) Yes! I was cold and judgemental! But I guess I’ve seen my share of “jerk male leads” in kdramas since then, so Min Kiseo is truly an “angel” in comparison. Not only that, he is self-aware. He knows he is in hell, he knows he is miserable, the self loathing is evident and he just feels he has no way out. You can feel his desperation entangled with his arrogance. I appreciated how every time anyone asked him if he was ok, Dr Min’s answer would be “No, I am not ok”. Most machos would not admit to this. Continue reading

I made many captures while rewatching Thank You, mostly of Min Kiseo 😀 And I share them here in case anyone wants some to make avatars or small banners. The resolution is not high enough for big projects but I hope somebody enjoys them.

But first,

A COUPLE OF RANDOM GIFS

This cracks me up for some reason

And for some reason, my mothers always cracks up at Dr Min being annoying

RANDOM CAPTURES – of mostly brooding Min Kiseo :p (I guess I like the brooding types?) Click on each photo to see them in full size.

Impossible! It’s impossible to be selective! This is the last batch of favorite moments between Young Shin and Min Kiseo, and it seems I just included ALL their scenes. Oh well! I love them! Let’s see how long this post will be.

“CAN I BE YOUR MAN FROM NOW ON”

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MIN KISEO IS PERFECT PART 1 – He can wash his lady’s hair

MIN KISEO IS PERFECT PART 2 – He can cook! Ok, we don’t really know that, but at least he offered

MIN KISEO IS PERFECT PART 3 – Even if he can’t cook, he knows the importance of FOOD! MAJOR BOUNS POINTS MY MINKI! (Marry me now!!!)

Ok, this was a bit TMI, but, he is a doctor after all 🙂

The guy knows how to get to a woman’s heart 🙂

“I WANT TO BE IN YOUR FAMILY” – Despite Suk Hyun’s attempt to discourage Dr Min, he asks Young Shin if he can become part of her family (and we meltssss)

I’VE BEEN TELLING YOU ALL ALONG

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DR MIN IS JEALOUS OF DOGGY: An now we understand why he kept kicking the dog house. But it was still not nice Dr Min!

I’M JUST DIFFERENT RIGHT? – This scene is so significant and well done. Only actors with the talent of Jang Hyuk and Gong Hyo Jin could pull off a scene like this, where almost everything is said with the eyes. She is finally assertive. Does the fact that she doesn’t see a need to rush to find Bom a father mean she is rejecting Dr Min now? His expression suggest disappointment on one hand, but pride on the other. He is proud that Young Shin became more assertive, partially thanks of him. At least, that is what I see! I wonder how you guys interpret this scene.